Secrets to Soccer Training: USA Men’s National Soccer Team in FIFA World Cup 2014
Like in many other previous tournaments, USA is among the teams that made it to the 20th edition 2014 World Cup held in Brazil. The team was scheduled for tight fixtures against some of the strongest opponents in the group of death, but still managed to make it to knockout stage. This can be attributed to the number of changes new coach Jurgen Klinsmann made on the national squad. It can also be accredited to new secrets to soccer training that comes with coach replacements. Here is a summary of the 23-man representative team that USA took to Brazil.
Goalkeepers:
There were three spots for goalkeepers which featured the prolific first choice Tim Howard who plays in Everton, England at professional level. The experienced 35 year old has been the preferred candidate in the US goal since 2007. Other keepers included Aston Villa’s Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando who plays professional football for Real Salt Lake.
Defenders:
The USA men national soccer team consisted of 8 defenders divided in central, right back and left back positions. The central defense featured Sporting Kansas City’s Matt Besler (26) and Hertha Berlin’s John Brooks (21). They were supported on the left by 32 year old DaMarcus Beasley who plays at Puebla Mexico and 24 year old Timothy Chandler (FC Nuremburg) on the right back position. Other defenders included the versatile 28 years old Geoff Cameron who plays club soccer for Stoke City, England and 26 years old Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim, Germany). LA Galaxy’s Omar Gonzalez (25) was also included in central defense and the young 23 year old DeAndre Yeldin also earned a right back place in the World Cup. He plays for his birthplace club Seattle Sounders in US.
Midfielders:
USA also sent eight midfielders to represent them in the world’s biggest tournament. The crew included 27 year old playmaker Graham Zusi who plays club soccer alongside teammate Besler in Sporting Kansas City. Central midfield was tasked with experienced Jermaine Jones who plays for Besiktas, Turkey. The 33 year old scored a goal in their second game draw against Portugal in the 2014 World Cup. Another seasoned midfielder was Toronto FC’s Michel Bradley (25), Houston Dynamo’s Brad Davis (33) and Real Salt Lake’s Kyle Beckrman (32). Other midfielders included 25 year old Alejandro Bedoya who plays for FC Nantes in France and the young Julian Green. Green was a surprise inclusion considering he is only 19 and a reserve player at Bayern Munich in Germany. He scored US last goal of the competition against Belgium in the round of 16.
Forwards:
The USA men national soccer team employs a 4-4-2 system which means they had four forwards tasked with scoring goals (2 starting and 2 subs). The main striker was 30 year old Clint Dempsey who can also play a midfield role. Another prolific partnering striker was 25 year old Jozy Altidore who plays club soccer for Sunderland, England. However, he got injured in the first game of the World Cup against Ghana. Other strikers included 23 year old Aron Johannsson who plays for AZ Alkmaar in Netherlands and 31 year old Chris Wondowolski who plays for San Jose Earthquakes.
The above 23 man team was chosen to represent USA in the 2014 world cup and managed to get out of group stages, but were knocked out by Belgium 2-1 in the knockout-round. Over all, the USA Men’s National Soccer Team did well and looking forward to improve their performance in the next World Cup in Russia.
Secrets to Soccer Training: USA Men’s National Soccer Team in FIFA World Cup 2014
written by: Dorcus